School Street Project has lift off


Employees of Mountain View Landscapes, who received the bid to construct the Park.

By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer

AGAWAM - "It is a great day for Agawam. We need more parks and recreations for our children," Mayor Richard A. Cohen said to a crowd on a cold April afternoon last week.

On April 6, members of the City Council joined by Mayor Richard A. Cohen and various other city employees and guests gathered to break ground initiating the starting point for construction of the 50-acre municipal park that has been in the works since 2000.

"We just signed the contract one hour ago," Chris Sparks, the Parks and Recreational Director said to Reminder Publications. "All systems are go. We are very excited."

"We expect to be completed in October/November," Steve Cogan, of Mountain View Construction said. "We are very familiar with this type of project. We have been in the business for 30 years."

"It's been a long time in the coming," Henry Kozloski, the head of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), said. "We are finally going to start."

"Without any of these people the project would not have happened," Cohen said to the crowd and pointed out city council members, members of Mountain View Development Corporation, Debbie Dachos, the Planning Director, members of the CPC and Sparks.

"The people of Agawam should get credit for the CPA," Kozloski said in speaking of the Community Preservation Act, one that grants funds for community programs. The Act was approved in a vote of Agawam residents.

"This is a dream come true," City Councilor George Bitzas said. "We worked for a long time. It will be a jewel in the town and be enjoyed by people of all ages young and old. It was well spent CPA funds and grant. It will be enjoyed by many generations to come."

"I think it is a great project. It will put the recreational area on the map and it has been a long time coming. Hopefully it will keep in the budget," City Councilor Bob A. Magovern said.

Bitzas said that the city council has been lobbying the state and Hampden County to return the land on School Street to Agawam and now that it has been returned the project is possible.

"I would like to see the council support more funding [for the park] in the future," Bitzas said.

"It just continues to add value to the property, value to the school system," Tom Roberts, a life-long Agawam resident said. "I believe we are approaching Longmeadow or better. I think it is great especially for families."

"Just remember this is what makes Agawam a town of friendship," Cohen said in closing. "While we disagree on things, this is what brings us together."

The park when completed is to include areas such as bike and walking trails, access roads, soccer fields, parking, concession stands, rest rooms, baseball fields, multi-purpose fields, a playground, picnic areas, bocce and shuffleboard and community gardens.

Funding for the park is comprised of a recent $575,000 approval by City Council from CPA funds, $500,000 urban self help grant awarded by the state, (that according to Sparks would have disappeared if the construction had not commenced in time), $928,000 in Community Preservation funds approved by the City Council in 2005 and between $20-100,000 to be donated by Berkshire Power. Total cost of the park hovers around $2 million.